On Saturday 4th October 2025 at Laxton, Nottinghamshire a hunt sab dashcam
recorded at least four separate incidents of dog fouling as the hunt left the meet.
The pack was the Grove & Rufford Hunt who had managed to field just five riders.
The hunt rampaged through the local village with no concern for other road users,
with poorly controlled hounds peeling off and entering people’s gardens, only
stopping to relieve themselves as they went. The hunt, of course, carried on its
merry way unconcerned about the dog mess being left behind.
Apart from a violent incident later in the day when a heavy chain was thrown at sabs
it was uneventful. On reviewing the dashcam footage sabs reported the four recorded dog fouling incidents to the local council, Newark & Sherwood. After supplying the video, screenshots and a lengthy statement the sabs waited four and a half months only to be told that the complaint would not be actioned:
‘as we cannot say definitively that the dog faeces was not removed within a
reasonable time scale.’
Following a complaint on this decision they responded with the same ‘reasoning’. They did not say if they had even questioned the masters of the Grove & Rufford. They did claim they would write to the hunt, telling them to clean up after their hounds next time!
It seems that at no point were the hunt contacted to see if they claimed they had
picked up the poo. Perhaps the district council expects us to post a hunt sab on each
steaming pile and film it for four hours or something.
The idea that anyone whose dogs foul four times and then rides off, would return to
clean-up is laughable and we doubt if anyone else had been filmed fouling the
pavement they wouldn’t have been treated in such a lenient manner.
Local authorities can issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of up to £100 on the spot
for such offences, and we can only assume that his was not done as hunts always
seem to be given preferential treatment by councils up and down the country.
We look forward to the day that the rural community are not afflicted by the
countryside vandals of organised hunting.
We ask any local residents to keep an eye out for future incidents and perhaps
contact the council asking why the hunt was let off so easily after such damning
evidence.
The government has launched a public consultation on Trail Hunting – this is our chance to stop cruel hunting for good. You can read the HSA’s guidance and take part in the consultation here. The deadline is 18th June 2026 – make sure your voice is heard.
Take part in the Trail Hunting Consultation now:
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